Nursing Pharmacology: Anti-infective
Drugs Practice Exam (Quiz #6: 14
Questions) 2025/2026
1. Question
Which of the following must always be present before beginning antifungal
therapy?
A. Coagulation profile
B. Confirmed diagnosis
Correct
C. Biopsy of the infected site
D. Urinalysis
Correct
Correct Answer: B. Confirmed diagnosis
The diagnosis of fungal infection, as opposed to infection caused by virus
or bacteria, is necessary before beginning therapy with antifungal agents.
Clinically, fungal infections are best categorized first according to the site
and extent of the infection, then the route of acquisition, and finally, the
virulence of the causative organism. These classifications are essential
when determining the most effective treatment regimen for a particular
mycosis.
● Option A: Mycoses classify as local (superficial, cutaneous,
subcutaneous) or systemic (deep, bloodborne). The acquisition of
the fungal infection is either an exogenous (airborne/inhalation,
cutaneous exposure, percutaneous inoculation) or endogenous
process (normal flora or reactivated infection).
● Option C: The virulence of the organism is classified as either a
primary infection (disease arising in a healthy host), or
opportunistic infection (disease arising in human hosts that have
a compromised immune system, or other defenses).
● Option D: Polyene antifungals (e.g., amphotericin B) bind to
ergosterol, a steroid-alcohol unique to Fungi. The
polyene-ergosterol complex creates pores in the fungal cell
, membrane, ultimately leading to electrolyte leakage, cell lysis,
and cell death.
2. Question
Which choice describes the action of nucleoside analogs?
A. Exert anti-HIV activity at the reverse transcriptase level and cause
premature termination of viral DNA chain synthesis.
Correct
B. Completely stop the replication of HIV virus.
C. Allow for a patient to become non-contagious after taking for at least 3
days.
D. Are all equally effective and free of side effects.
Correct
Correct Answer: A. Exert anti-HIV activity at the reverse transcriptase
level and cause premature termination of viral DNA chain synthesis
This choice correctly describes the action of nucleoside analogs. The
nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) were the
first class of antiretroviral drugs to be approved by the FDA. NRTIs are
taken as prodrugs and must be taken into the host cell and phosphorylated
before they become active. Once inside the host cell, cellular kinases will
activate the drug. The drug exerts its effect through its structure.
● Option B: NRTIs lack a 3’-hydroxyl group at the 2’-deoxyribosyl
moiety and will have either a nucleoside or nucleotide as a base.
Due to the missing 3’hydroxyl group, the NRTI prevents the
formation of a 3’-5’-phosphodiester bond in growing DNA chains
and can thus prevent replication of the virus.
● Option C: An interesting feature of these drugs is that their
incorporation during RNA-dependent DNA or DNA-dependent
DNA synthesis, which inhibits the production of either positive or
negative strands of the DNA.
● Option D: Currently, research and trials are underway to assess
the efficacy in the use of reverse transcriptase inhibitors for
pre-exposure prophylaxis. Studies show that there is anywhere
Drugs Practice Exam (Quiz #6: 14
Questions) 2025/2026
1. Question
Which of the following must always be present before beginning antifungal
therapy?
A. Coagulation profile
B. Confirmed diagnosis
Correct
C. Biopsy of the infected site
D. Urinalysis
Correct
Correct Answer: B. Confirmed diagnosis
The diagnosis of fungal infection, as opposed to infection caused by virus
or bacteria, is necessary before beginning therapy with antifungal agents.
Clinically, fungal infections are best categorized first according to the site
and extent of the infection, then the route of acquisition, and finally, the
virulence of the causative organism. These classifications are essential
when determining the most effective treatment regimen for a particular
mycosis.
● Option A: Mycoses classify as local (superficial, cutaneous,
subcutaneous) or systemic (deep, bloodborne). The acquisition of
the fungal infection is either an exogenous (airborne/inhalation,
cutaneous exposure, percutaneous inoculation) or endogenous
process (normal flora or reactivated infection).
● Option C: The virulence of the organism is classified as either a
primary infection (disease arising in a healthy host), or
opportunistic infection (disease arising in human hosts that have
a compromised immune system, or other defenses).
● Option D: Polyene antifungals (e.g., amphotericin B) bind to
ergosterol, a steroid-alcohol unique to Fungi. The
polyene-ergosterol complex creates pores in the fungal cell
, membrane, ultimately leading to electrolyte leakage, cell lysis,
and cell death.
2. Question
Which choice describes the action of nucleoside analogs?
A. Exert anti-HIV activity at the reverse transcriptase level and cause
premature termination of viral DNA chain synthesis.
Correct
B. Completely stop the replication of HIV virus.
C. Allow for a patient to become non-contagious after taking for at least 3
days.
D. Are all equally effective and free of side effects.
Correct
Correct Answer: A. Exert anti-HIV activity at the reverse transcriptase
level and cause premature termination of viral DNA chain synthesis
This choice correctly describes the action of nucleoside analogs. The
nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) were the
first class of antiretroviral drugs to be approved by the FDA. NRTIs are
taken as prodrugs and must be taken into the host cell and phosphorylated
before they become active. Once inside the host cell, cellular kinases will
activate the drug. The drug exerts its effect through its structure.
● Option B: NRTIs lack a 3’-hydroxyl group at the 2’-deoxyribosyl
moiety and will have either a nucleoside or nucleotide as a base.
Due to the missing 3’hydroxyl group, the NRTI prevents the
formation of a 3’-5’-phosphodiester bond in growing DNA chains
and can thus prevent replication of the virus.
● Option C: An interesting feature of these drugs is that their
incorporation during RNA-dependent DNA or DNA-dependent
DNA synthesis, which inhibits the production of either positive or
negative strands of the DNA.
● Option D: Currently, research and trials are underway to assess
the efficacy in the use of reverse transcriptase inhibitors for
pre-exposure prophylaxis. Studies show that there is anywhere
